Electroneurodiagnostic (END) technology programs prepare people to measure brain waves in patients. Students learn anatomy, medical terms, and patient care. They also learn to operate equipment and keep records.

After twisting your tongue on "electroneurodiagnostic," consider the word in parts. "Electro-" refers to something electrical. "Neuro-" refers to the brain. And "diagnostic" refers to something that helps identify a problem.

Put it all together, and what do you get? You get a program of study where you use machines to measure a brain's electrical impulses in order to assess possible brain problems. These problems include brain tumors, strokes, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.

How do END technologists do this? They attach electrodes to designated spots on a patient's body and connect the other end of the electrode to a machine. That machine measures the brain activity.

A "polysomnographic technologist" is one type of END technologist. These technologists measure a person's brain activity, as well as heart and breathing activity, all night to analyze the person's sleep patterns. They then give their conclusions to a physician.

You might have seen a movie where a person is hooked up to a machine by electrodes. There are white disks stuck to their forehead, and a lot of wires sticking out of them. You can imagine how intimidating a patient might feel while undergoing END. So, in this program of study, one of the things you learn to do is calm a nervous patient. This requires you to have compassion and also to understand the technology, so that you can explain it to your patient. Of course, to learn the technology, you need to learn how to use the equipment and study the neurophysiological system.

About ten schools offer accredited programs in END technology. You can earn either a certificate or an associate degree. A certificate typically takes about 15 months to two years of full-time study after high school. An associate degree usually takes about two years.